Staff

Meghan Hess

Program Associate
(734) 662-6597
As program associate, Ms. Hess advocates for Michigan consumers on state- and federal-level issues.

Gary Kalman

Federal Legislative Office Director
202-546-9707 x311
Gary Kalman directs the federal legislative office in Washington, D.C.

Phineas Baxandall

Senior Analyst for Tax and Budget Policy
(617) 747-4351
Mr. Baxandall oversees policy and strategy development for state PIRGs’ tax and budget campaigns throughout the U.S., including campaigns for transportation reform.

Steve Blackledge

Deputy Director
(916) 448-4516 ext. 108
Steve Blackledge provides policy and strategic guidance for state PIRGs, primarily focusing on the issues of health care and consumer protection.

Allison Cairo

Deputy Director
(312) 291-0349 x303
Allison started her work with the State PIRGs as a campus organizer in 2000. Prior to becoming Deputy Director of U.S. PIRG, Allison was the Executive Director of NJPIRG.

Ed Mierzwinski

Consumer Program Director
202-546-9707 x314
Ed Mierzwinski has been a consumer advocate in the Washington, D.C.-based federal lobbying office of the state PIRGs since 1989.

Michael Russo

Health Care Policy Analyst
(213) 251-3680 x332
Mike Russo is our Policy Analyst on issues including public health and health care.

Priority Action

The CUT Loopholes Act would put an end to the price and profit shifting that allows publicly traded companies to engage in pervasive tax avoidance.

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